RAF Hospital Uxbridge explained

RAF Hospital Uxbridge
Ensign:Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg
Ensign Size:90px
Nearest Town:Uxbridge, Greater London
Country:England
Pushpin Map:Greater London
Pushpin Label:RAF Hospital Uxbridge
Pushpin Map Caption:Shown within Greater London
Type:Royal Air Force Hospital
Ownership:Ministry of Defence
Operator:Royal Air Force
Used:1925-

RAF Hospital Uxbridge was a military hospital within the Royal Air Force station RAF Uxbridge.

History

Douglas Bader arrived at the hospital in 1932 to recover after the amputation of both of his legs following a flying accident. It was during his stay that he met the Desoutter brothers who were pioneering the use of lightweight aluminium for the production of prosthetic limbs.[1] Bader was fitted with the new style of legs and returned to active service with the RAF, to become known as "the legless pilot".[2]

In early 1940, the officers' hospital on the station became the Women's Auxiliary Air Force Hospital,[3] with the Officers' hospital moving to the RAF Hospital Torquay.[4]

References

Citations
Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sir Douglas Bader CBE, DSO, DFC . 1 March 2011 . London Borough of Hillingdon . 4 June 2011 . 18 March 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120318025142/http://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/index.jsp?articleid=22430 . dead .
  2. News: Funny, sad, amazing stories of spies and Douglas Bader . Alexander . Clare . Uxbridge Gazette . 22 July 2008 . 11 March 2011.
  3. Crozier 2007, p. 15
  4. Book: Mackie . Mary . Sky wards : a history of the Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service . 2001 . Robert Hale . London . 0-7090-6976-6 . 103.